PSYC3004 Walden Pros & Cons of Diagnosing Psychological Disorders Paper

Client Name: __________________________________________DOB: __________________Age ______

Sex:M / F Address: _____­­­­­­­­­­­­_________­­­­­­­­­­­­____________­­­­­­­­­­­­______­­­­­­­­­­­­___________ Preferred Phone: _____­­­­­­­­­­­­___­­­­­­­

Are you a college student?Yes / No / FT / PTAre you employed? Yes / No / FT / PT

Name of your employer and/or school and occupation: __________________________________

Significant relationship status (check one):☐single ☐engaged ☐married ☐separated ☐divorced ☐committed relationship ☐other _________­­­­­­­­­­­­____________

If married, spouse’s name, age, occupation:_________­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________­­­­­­­­­­­­______________

Those with whom you are now living (list people): _________­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________­­­­­­­­­­­­__________

Where you reside: ☐house (☐own ☐rent) ☐hotel☐room☐apartment ☐other____________

By whom were you referred?_________­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________­­­­­­­­­­­­______

PRESENTING PROBLEM(s):

Reason for seeking help now:

Depression symptoms (check all that apply):

__ Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day (e.g., sad, empty, tearful);

__ Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day;

__ Appetite/Weight changes: More than 5% change in weight OR decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day;

__ Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day;__ Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day;

__ Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day;__ Feelings of worthlessness, excessive/inappropriate guilt nearly daily;

__ Diminished ability to concentrate OR indecisiveness, nearly every day;__Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Anxiety symptoms (check all that apply):

__excessive worry; __restlessness; __easily fatigued; __difficulty concentrating; __mind going blank; __poor memory; __irritability; __ muscle tension; __sleep disturbance; __GI Sx’s; __headaches; __frequent thoughts of danger; __avoidance of situations that produce anxiety; __easily startled; __feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope; __other:____________________________________________

Obsessive or ritualistic beh/cog which interfere with routine activities? Yes / No ________________

Hx of Panic attacks? Yes / No.If yes, when

Panic Sx: Racing heart / sense of terror / sweaty / chills / chest pain, tightness / SOB / loss of control / weakness, dizzy, faint / tingling or numbness in hands, fingers, limbs

Impulsivity problems? Y / N:spending / sexual / food / alcohol / drugs / video games / gambling/

Hx of manic episode (observable by others; at least one week)? Yes / No.If yes, when:

Grandiosity / decreased need for sleep / more talkative, pressured speech / racing thoughts / easily distracted / increase in goal-directed behavior / psychomotor agitation / excessive pleasurable risky activity

Are symptoms recurrent/intermittent?Yes/ No _____________________________

Frequency/Severity of symptoms: ________________________________

Onset of symptoms:___ Rapid, as of: _____________________;___ Gradual, as of: ____________

PSYCH HISTORY:

Previous counseling: Yes / No.Indiv / marital / family.When/how long? ___________

Focus/gains?____________________________

Prior diagnoses: _________________.

Prior psychotropic Rx: ____________

Current psych Rx: ___________

Family Hx of mental illness/ suicide / substance abuse? Paternal:________________________________________________________________.

Maternal: _________________________________________________________________.

MINI MENTAL STATUS EXAM: (Check all that apply)

Orientation: ___Oriented to time, place, person, circumstance;____ Disoriented to _________________________

Psychomotor activity: ___Normal;___ Accelerated;___Retarded;____Restless/Fidgety;___Rigid posture;

Interaction: open / forthcoming / guarded / gamey / oppositional / ________________

Appearance: Grooming: _____________ Dress: ____________ Weight: _______________; Age: older/younger/as stated.

Eye Contact: good / fair / poor / variable Mood: Today ______________ Past month: __________

Speech: normal / loud / soft / slurred / stereotyped / rapid / pressured / extended latencies / ________

Affect: congruent / inappropriate / full / labile / blunted / constricted/ flat / _____________

Appears: anxious/ depressed/ manic/ _______________________

Thought Process: WNL/ logical / illogical / loose associations / tangential/ circumstantial / paranoid /

suspicious / hallucinations (visual/ auditory/ olfactory/ tactile) / delusions / obsessive /

preoccupation with: ____________________

Complaints about attention/concentration?Yes / NoComplaints about memory? Yes / No

Judgment: Intact / ___________ impairment ______________________Insight: Poor / Fair / Good

NOTES:

SAFETY ASSESSMENT:

Current abuse or violence in the home?

Sexual abuse? Y / NPhysical abuse? Y / NVerbal abuse?Y / NNeglect?Y / N

Abuse or neglect involving a child, elder, or disabled person? ___ Denies; ___Yes:

Current Suicide Risk: ___ Low; ___ Mod; ___ High; ______ Imminent (plan and intent)

History of prior suicide attempt(s)? Yes / No. If yes,

History of prior suicide plan with intent? Yes / No.If yes,

Violence to Others Risk: ___ Low; ___ Mod;___ High; ______ Imminent (plan and intent)

Current homicidal thoughts? Yes/ no.Hx of homicidal thoughts? Yes/ no.

History of violence to others? Yes/ no. If yes,

Current Substance Use: Current Substance Abuse? Yes / No

Alcohol:

Tobacco: ____ Caffeine:

Cannabis: ______ Other:

Past substance abuse?Yes / No If yes,

Self-Harm Behaviors:Denies / Past / Present

Age of onset: _______________________________ Duration: _______________________________________________

Frequency: _________________________________ Location(s) on body: ______________________________________

Severity:__________________________________________ Received Medical Attention? Yes / No

Disordered eating/ body image/ exercise:

History of: binging/ purging / laxatives / diet pills / severe restricting / extreme exercise

Current body image?ExcellentGoodFairPoor

Current interference in lifestyle or well-being by weight/body/appearance concerns?

PHYSICAL HEALTH:Client’s overall rating:ExcellentGoodFairPoor

Chronic illnesses:

Chronic pain? Yes / No /

Surgeries:

Current Rx (non-psych):

Last physical: ___Name of physician:

Avg physical exercise per week:

Sleep: Avg _____ hrs/night; Insomnia? Yes / no / past / present.If yes: onset / mid / terminal.

Sleep meds used?

EDUC/OCCUP HISTORY:

Education: Highest grade completed: __________ Advanced degree(s)

Schooling: Public/ Private/ HomeLearning disability or ADHD?

Typical academic performance?Below avg / average / advanced

Currently in school? ___ No; ___Yes:

Occupation: Currently employed?Yes / No / FT / PT / Job searching.Hrs per week:

Current Emp: ___________________________________________________; ______________ Months / Years

Prior Emp: ________________________________________; _______ Months / Years

Prior Emp: ________________________________________; _______ Months / Years

FAMILY:

Grew up where?

Primarily raised by whom?

Siblings? Close with?

Conflict with?

Current Family/Relationships:

In a committed relationship?

Married or cohabiting? Yes / No.Divorced? Yes / No. Previous marriages? Yes / No:

Children? Yes / No _

TRAUMA/ABUSE HISTORY:

Emotional/verbal abuse? _____

Sexual abuse/assault? ____

Physical abuse? _____

Neglect? ________Bullying? ___________

Have you ever been in a situation in which you felt you were going to die or be seriously injured? Yes / No

Any significant motor vehicle accidents, head injuries, knocked unconscious, fires/natural disasters? Yes / No

Other experience you would consider “traumatic”?Yes / No.

If yes: _________

LEGAL HISTORY:

Do you have any past or current involvement with the legal system (e.g., warrants, arrests, detentions, convictions, probation, parole)?_______________________

Do you have any past or current involvement with the court system (e.g., family court, workers compensation dispute, civil litigation, court-ordered psychiatric treatment)?_______________

STRENGTHS/SUPPORTS/LIFESTYLE:

Client’s Perceived Strengths:Ability to articulate: readily / slowly / with great difficulty

1) ____________; 2) __________; 3) ____________

Words that describe your personality:

Social Support: ____ Sufficient;____ Limited;____ Lacking

Primarily supported by:

Social organizations/groups:

Conflict in close relationships: Low / Moderate / High

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: _____________

Spirituality/Religion: Spiritual resources requested? Yes / No ___

Current description/affiliation:____________

Raised how? ______________________________Hx of harmful religious experiences? Yes / No

OTHER: Anything we haven’t discussed that you feel I should know about? _______

What improvements do you hope will result from counseling? _________

Ideas of how long you expect to be in counseling? _____________

DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:

Axis I: ________________________________

Axis II:_______________________________

Axis III: (Medical) _____________

Axis IV: (Situational) ____________________

Axis V: (GAF; Current) _____________Overall symptom severity: mild / moderate / severe / variable

Impairment:Social: _____Little or none;____Mild;____ Moderate;____ Acute/Severe;___ Variable

Educ/Occup: _____Little or none;____Mild;____ Moderate;____ Acute/Severe;___ Variable

ADL’s: _____Little or none;____Mild;____ Moderate;____ Acute/Severe;___ Variable

PLAN:

______ Begin psychotherapy w/this author.

Freq/duration: ___________________________

Initial Goals/Focus: _________________________

_____ Other: Recommended:

Referral:

Signed:__________________________________________________________

Clinician Date

• Visit the Queendom.com or Psychtests.com website and complete two tests.

Post a response to the following:

• After reviewing the sample clinical interview and Jones (2010) article, describe which sections you feel are most critical to explore and why. Which do you feel are unnecessary? Why?

1. Compare and contrast the two tests selected in terms of reliability and validity.
2. Do you feel confident in the results of each test selected? Why or why not?
3. When considering the limitations of clinical interviews presented in your text, how do clinical tests fill the gaps in the diagnostic process?

Assignment: Advantages and Disadvantages of Diagnosis and Labeling

Clinicians make use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) classification system to make diagnoses that will guide the choice of a treatment approach. As you read in Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, however, the practice of diagnosing clients and the use of diagnostic categories and labels are sometimes subject to criticism. Some argue that diagnostic labels can cause harm. Others disagree, stating that diagnosis is an essential step in the clinical process as the clinician proceeds from assessment to diagnosis to treatment. In this week’s Assignment, you will evaluate both advantages and disadvantages of the practice of diagnosing and labeling psychological disorders. You will decide whether or not you are convinced that current diagnostic practices are acceptable.

To prepare for this Assignment:

Review the Learning Resources, paying close attention to diagnosis and classification in mental health settings. Note any specific advantages and disadvantages of the process of diagnosing and classification.

https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201950_05/BS_PSYC/PSYC_3004_WC/artifacts/USW1_PSYC_3004_Week2_mogensen.pdf

https://www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/index

The Assignment (2–3 pages):

• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of diagnosing and classifying psychological disorders. Include in your evaluation responses to the following prompts:
  • Evaluate the advantages of diagnosis and classification in mental health settings. Be specific and provide examples where appropriate.
  • Evaluate the disadvantages of diagnosis and classification in mental health settings. Be specific and provide examples where appropriate.
  • From a multicultural perspective, explain what issues might arise with respect to the assessment and diagnosis of individuals from different cultural backgrounds (review this table in the textbook: Multicultural Hot Spots in Assessment and Diagnosis).
  • Finally, based on your evaluations in the prior prompts, explain your position regarding the relative advantages and disadvantages of current diagnostic and classification practices, including an assessment of whether you believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. Be sure to support your position.